Lobbying

“Other States Require Lobbyists to Report Compensation” by Michael Sol Warren for New Mexico In Depth

Rhode Island: “Panel Recommends Higher Fees for Lobbyists” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“Justice Department Ramps up Scrutiny of Candidates and Independent Groups” by Matea Gold and Coby Itkowitz for Washington Post

Maine: “Lawmakers Seek Reform for Maine’s Clean Election Law” by Scott Thistle for The Sun-Journal

Massachusetts: “Inaugural Donors Have Dealings with State Treasurer” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

Montana: “Senate Passes Reform Proposal to Increase Campaign-Finance Disclosures” by Lisa Baumann (Associated Press) for The Daily Journal

New Jersey: “Chris Christie Faces New Jersey Bill Restricting Campaign Cash from Firms Managing Pension” by David Sirota for International Business Times

Texas: “Former Dewhurst Aide Buddy Barfield Gets 7 Years for Embezzling” by Tom Benning for Dallas Morning News

Ethics

Alabama: “Stunning Emails Paint Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard as Desperate for Money, Favors” by John Archibald for AL.com

Virginia: “Virginia Senate Republicans Were Set to Sink Ethics Bill” by Laura Vozzella, Jenna Portnoy, and Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Lobbying

Montana: “Senator’s Aide Asked to Leave after Registering as Lobbyist” by Laura Lundquist and Troy Carter for Bozeman Chronicle

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Fundraising Binge Begins for Lawmakers” by Jeremy Wallace for Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Montana: “Senate Panel Advances Major Campaign-Finance Reform Bill” by Mike Dennison for Montana Standard

Ohio: “Campaign Contributors Can Give More Cash in Ohio” by Jackie Borchardt (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ethics

“Foreign Governments Gave Millions to Foundation While Clinton Was at State Dept.” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Wasington Post

“Aaron Schock Didn’t Report Gifts, Meals in London” by Anna Palmer, John Bresnahan, and Jake Sherman for Politico

Idaho: “Idaho Lawmakers Narrowly Agree to Consider New Inspector General for Complaints, Corruption” by Betsy Russell (Spokane Spokesman-Review) for Idaho Statesman

Mississippi: “Ex-Prison Boss and Businessman Admit to Bribery Scheme” by Jeff Amy (Associated Press) for The Sun-Herald

New Jersey: “Hard Work or Abuse of Power? Joseph Ferriero Corruption Trial Opens with Widely Varying Portrayals” by Peter Sampson for Bergen Record

New Mexico: “Ethics Commission Moves Forward” by Michael Reichbach for New Mexico Political Report

Oregon: “Cylvia Hayes Sues Oregonian to Keep Records Secret” by Hannah Hoffman for Salem Statesman-Journal

Lobbying

Hawaii: “Hawaii Monitor: Is a weak lobbying law getting weaker?” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

Campaign Finance

Utah: “Bill Setting Campaign Contribution Limits Passes Committee” by Lisa Riley Roche for Deseret News

West Virginia: “Bill to Remove Political Contribution Limits Sent to Subcommittee” by Joel Ebert for Charleston Daily Mail

Ethics

“Hillary’s State Department OK’d Bill’s Big-Money Speeches” by Josh Gerstein for Politico

Alaska: “APOC Funding Changes Proposed” by Matt Buxton for Fairbanks Daily News Miner

Michigan: “Another Kilpatrick Aide Avoids Prison in Corruption Fallout” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Texas: “Dallas Council Lessens Fundraising Loophole, Tightens Ethics Complaint Process” by Elizabeth Findell for Dallas Morning News

Elections

Illinois: “Rahm Emanuel Forced Into Runoff in Bid for Second Term as Chicago Mayor” by Monica Davey for New York Times

“Daniel Donovan, Garner Case Prosecutor, Defends Record as He Runs for Congress” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Kansas: “Conservatives Are Changing Kansas Law in Ways That Enshrine Their Power, Weaken Opponents” by Brad Cooper for Kansas City Star

Lobbying

Missouri: “House Committee Advances Bill to Ban Lobbyist-Paid Travel outside Missouri” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

Campaign Finance

Maine: “Bill Requires Nonprofits to Disclose Donors When Contributing to Maine Political Campaigns” by Scott Thistle for The Sun Journal

Massachusetts: “Group Suing OCPF over Union Contributions” by Gintautas Dumcius (State House News Service) for MassLive.com

North Dakota: “North Dakota Rejects Law Banning Personal Use of Campaign Dollars” by Rob Port for Watchdog.org

Ethics

“She Runs S.E.C. He’s a Lawyer. Recusals and Headaches Ensue.” by Peter Eavis and Ben Protess for New York Times

“Lawmaker with Lavish Decor Billed Private Planes, Concerts” by Jack Gillum and Stephen Braun (Associated Press) for Charlotte Observer

Alabama: “Alabama Ethics Commission Names New Director after Six-Month Search” by Erin Edgemon for AL.com

Maine: “Federal Judge Nullifies Maine’s Drug Importation Law” by Jackie Farwell (Bangor Daily News) for The Sun Journal

Massachusetts: “More Legal Trouble for Lobbyist Convicted in DiMasi Case” by Martin Finucane and Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Legislative Reform Urged for Outside Income Limits” by Matthew Hamilton for Albany Times Union

North Carolina: “Charlotte City Council Tightens Ethics Rules” by Ely Portillo for Charlotte Observer

Lobbying

Utah: “Lobbyist Badges May Be Short-Lived on the Hill” by Robert Gehrke for Salt Lake Tribune

Vermont: “Lobbyists Split on Plan to Change Advertising Disclosure Laws” by Wilson Ring (Associated Press) for Rutland Herald

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Arizona Senate Panel Votes to Ask Voters to Kill Clean Elections Board, Use Money for Schools” by The Associated Press for Columbus Republic

Louisiana: “Ethics Board Decision Protects Political Ads Funding Sources” by Marsha Shuler for New Orleans Advocate

New Mexico: “State Officials to Form Task Force to Review Campaign Finance System” by The Associated Press for The Tribune

Washington: “Ruling Bars State from Treating Free Legal Advice as a Campaign Contribution” by Sean Robinson (Tacoma News Tribune) for Bellingham Herald

Wisconsin: “Conservative Groups Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Defend Rights of John Doe Targets” by M.D. Kittle for Watchdog.org

Ethics

Nevada: “As Revealed in Ethics Disclosures, Nevada Government is an Insiders’ Game” by Kyle Roerink for Las Vegas Sun

New York: “Ethics Plan Now in Budget” by Rick Karlin for Albany Times Union

Elections

District of Columbia: “For Marion Barry’s Son, Filling Dad’s Shoes Is a Surprisingly Uphill Battle” by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

Lobbying

California: “California Ethics Panel Rejects Exceptions to Lobbyist Fundraising Rules” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Pennsylvania: “Lobbyists See Little Love from Pennsylvania’s Ethics Commission” by Rachel Martin for Watchdog.org

Campaign Finance

“Final Tally: 2014’s midterm was most expensive, with fewer donors” by Russ Choma for Center for Responsive Politics

Indiana: “Disputed Campaign Contributions Benefited House GOP, Pence” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Montana: “Montana Senate to Hear Proposals Increasing Campaign Finance Disclosures” by Alison Noon (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

New Jersey: “Roseland Law Firm Loses Paterson Contract over Questions on Political Contributions” by Joe Malinconico for Bergen Record

Ethics

New York: “Sheldon Silver, Former Assembly Speaker, Is Indicted” by William Rashbaum for New York Times

Oregon: “Kate Brown, New Governor in Oregon, Seeks Public’s Trust” by Kirk Johnson for New York Times

Virginia: “Former Va. First Lady Sentenced to 366 Days in Corruption Case” by Matt Zapotosky, Rosalind Helderman, and Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Elections

Maryland: “Robocall Seen as Anti-Gay Attack under Investigation, Former Candidate Says” by Kevin Rector for Baltimore Sun

Michigan: “Michigan Legislature Settles on March 8 Date for 2016 Presidential Primary” by Jonathan Oosting for MLive.com

Redistricting

“Dems Launch Super-PAC to Gain Edge in Redistricting” by Cameron Joseph for The Hill

Lobbying

Maine: “Free Meals, Rooms for Maine Lawmakers Not Always Disclosed under Ethics Laws” by Naomi Schalit (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) for The Forecaster

Michigan: “Which Lawmakers Got the Most Free Lunch? Michigan Lobbying Topped $37M in 2014” by Jonathan Oosting for MLive.com

Utah: “Free Lunches for Lawmakers Dwindling at Utah Legislature” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Campaign Finance

“States Consider Requiring Shareholder Approval for Political Gifts” by Liz Essley White for Center for Public Integrity

“This Political Scientist Estimated Politicians’ Beliefs via 100 Million Campaign Donations” by Andrew Prokop for Vox

“Activists Bristle at Hillary Clinton Fundraising Pleas” by Ben Schreckinger for Politico

Nebraska: “Nebraska Bill Would Change Campaign Disclosure Requirement” by Grant Schulte (Associated Press) for Beatrice Daily Sun

Ethics

Oregon: “Lawmakers to Consider Ethics Reforms in Response to John Kitzhaber, Cylvia Hayes Scandal” by Ian Kullgren for Portland Oregonian

Texas: “In State of the State, Abbott Proposes Sweeping Agenda” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Virginia: “In Post-McDonnell Scandal Va., Pols Take another Stab at Ethics Reform” by Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post

Lobbying

North Carolina: “NC Ethics Commission Says Sex between Lobbyists, Officials Isn’t Reportable” by Craig Jarvis for Raleigh News & Observer

North Dakota: “North Dakota’s GOP Chairman Breaks Lobbying Rules” by Rob Port for Watchdog.org

Texas: “Watson Wants More Disclosure of Wining and Dining” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Campaign Finance

California: “Foes Question Firm’s Work for Steve Veres’ City Council Race” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Kansas: “Kansas Republicans, Democrats Agree on Raising Campaign Contribution Limits” by Nicholas Clayton (Associated Press) for Columbus Republic

Ethics

Indiana: “House Approves Ethics Bill Requiring More Financial Disclosure” in Indianapolis Business Journal

Mississippi: “Alday Says He’s Not Racist; GOP Leaders Decry Statements” by Emily Le Coz for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Oregon: “Gov. John Kitzhaber of Oregon and His Fiancée Walked Tangled Path to Exit” by Kirk Johnson and Michael Paulson for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Political Activist Gene Stilp Will Retire” by Kate Giammarise for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

South Carolina: “Ethics Reform Proponents Hope to Overcome Senate Roadblock” by Jeremy Borden for Charleston Post & Courier

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Citizen Lobbyists Learn the Ropes” by Gwyneth Doland (New Mexico In Depth) for Las Cruces Sun-News

North Carolina: “Charlotte Is Largest City with No Lobbying Disclosure” by Steve Harrison for Charlotte Observer

Campaign Finance

“Freshman Lawmaker Aims to Close Campaign Money Loophole” by The Associated Press for KBOI

Virginia: “Va. Political Operative Pleads Guilty to Coordinating Campaign Contributions” by Matt Zapotosky and Matea Gold for Washington Post

Wisconsin: “Bill Would Limit John Doe Probes into Political Crimes” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Ethics

Connecticut: “FBI Goes After ‘Corrupticut’ with Billboards” by Brian Lockhart for Connecticut Post

Florida: “Miami-Dade Mayor and Trump Discussed Crandon Golf Takeover” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

Montana: “Montana Budget Panel Cuts Political Practices” by Charles Johnson for Ravalli Republic

South Carolina: “S.C. Senate Kills Ethics Measure – Possibly for the Year” by Jeremy Borden for Charleston Post & Courier

Elections

“Democrats Choose Philadelphia for 2016 National Convention” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

Procurement

“House Passes Reform, Transparency Act” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Lobbyist Disclosure Bill Hits Snag in House Committee” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “State Office Working to Close Campaign Finance Loophole” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Nevada: “Nevada Supreme Court Rules against Conservative Group Citizen Outreach in Campaign Flyer Case” by Riley Snider and Michelle Rindels (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island Lawmaker Arrested for Alleged Misuse of Campaign Money Resigns Leadership Post” by Jennifer McDermott and Michelle Smith (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Ethics

New Jersey: “Wisniewski Seeks to End Christie’s Paid-for Travel” by Matt Friedman for Newark Star-Ledger

New York: “Political Corruption in Albany a Very Old Story” by Paul Grondahl for Albany Times Union

Indiana: “Indiana Lawmakers’ Panel Passes Ethics Reform Package” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Virginia: “Va. House and Senate Unhappily Pass Ethics Bills; Governor Awaits Deal” by Jenna Portnoy and Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Procurement

Texas: “Ethics Bill Would Shed Light on Contracts” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Lobbying

California: “Legal Clinic Immerses Aspiring Lawyers in the Political Process” by Maura Dolan for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Mayor’s Ball Draws Influential Donors” by Andy Reid for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Missouri: “Ethics Bills Move Ahead in Senate, House Committee” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

New Mexico: “New Mexico Lobbyists Spend on Lawmakers but Disclosure Lacks” by Sandra Fish for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Committee: Lobbyists still can’t donate during sessions” by Julia Shumway for Arizona Republic

Illinois: “Illinois Governor Acts to Curb Power of Public Sector Unions” by Monica Davey and Mitch Smith for New York Times

Oregon: “Secretary of State Wants to Limit Campaign Spending” by Hannah Hoffman for Salem Statesman Journal

Pennsylvania: “A Section of City Code Has Money from Law Firms, Corporations Drying Up in Philly Politics” by Chris Hepp for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

New York: “NY Senate Democrats: Ban outside income for lawmakers” by David Klepper and Michael Virtanen (Associated Press) for Seattle Times

Washington: “Lt. Governor Wants Change in How Ethics Are Policed” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Hawaii: “Hawaii Lobbyists Fined for Failing to Register with State Ethics Commission” by The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Minnesota: “Tomassoni Quits Range Job, Citing ‘Distractions’” by Don Davis for Duluth News Tribune

Texas: “State Law Allows for Lobbying Deep in the Shadows of Texas” by James Drew for Dallas Morning News

Campaign Finance

California: “A Legal Use of Power: Parties funnel millions to California candidates” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

Pennsylvania: “After Pennsylvania Treasurer Scandal, Pay-to-Play Law Still a Longshot” by The Associated Press for Lehighvalleylive.com

Ethics

New York: “Harassment Suit against Former Assemblyman Vito Lopez and Sheldon Silver Is Settled” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

North Carolina: “City Panel Proposes Stronger Ethics Policy” by Steve Harrison for Charlotte Observer

Oregon: “Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber Faces Call to Resign amid Scandal over Fiancée” by Maria La Ganga for Los Angeles Times

Washington: “Free U.S. Open Tickets for Lawmakers? Ethics Board to Discuss” by Melissa Santos for Tacoma News Tribune

Legislative Issues

Idaho: “Recodification Bill Would Create New Title of State Law for Ethics, Public Records, Open Meetings” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

South Carolina: “Lawmakers Hear Calls to Change the Way SC Elects Judges” by Jamie Self for The State

Political Advertising

“Drones Fly into the Political Ad Wars” by Daniel Lippman for Politico

Lobbying

New Mexico: “GOP Leaders Says Former Speaker Gave Office Space to Lobbyist” by Patrick Malone (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

“Helena-Based Campaign Finance-Tracking Group Gets Prestigious $1M Grant” in The Missoulian

“Big Business Crushed Ballot Measures in 2014” by Liz Essley White for Center for Public Integrity

“The Secret World of a Well-Paid ‘Donor Adviser’ in Politics” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Illinois: “Ald. Deb Mell Hit with Complaint over Free Rent Provided by Dad Dick Mell” by Ted Cox for DNAinfo.com

Montana: “Bullock, Ankney Outline Campaign Finance Reform Bill” by Charles Johnson for Montana Standard

Utah: “Politicians May Be Giving Contributions to Charity in the Future” by Amy McDonald for Provo Daily Herald

Ethics

Arkansas: “Lawmakers Favor Expanded Ethics Panel” by Michael Wickline for ArkansasOnline.com

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Fines Current and Former State Workers over Free Golf” by The Associated Press for Fox News

New York: “Malcolm Smith, Ex-New York Senate Chief, Is Convicted of Corruption” by Tanzina Vega for New York Times

South Dakota: “Ethics Commission Killed by House Republicans” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal

Lobbying

“Top Frankfort Lobbyists Make Big Money … VERY Big” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

Missouri: “Ethics Amendment Sponsor Sees Little Chance for Effective Action by Lawmakers” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Capitalizing on a Political Contribution Cap Hike” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

California: “San Diego County Supervisors Put Caps on Campaign Spending” by City News Service for KPBS

Ethics

“Obama Administration Seeks to Negotiate Medicare Drug Prices” by David Morgan for Reuters

Nevada: “When Do Lawmakers’ Day Jobs Become Conflicts of Interest?” by Kyle Roerink for Las Vegas Sun

New York: “State Ethics Panel Seeks More Clout, Leeway” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

New York: “New York City Councilman Arrested on Corruption Charges” by Nikita Stewart for New York Times

Oregon: “Cylvia Hayes Scandal: Kitzhaber associates helped create jobs for her that had Oregon influence in mind” by Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “After Rapid Rise, Pennsylvania Attorney General Faces Sharp Fall” by Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times

Elections

“The Surprising Power of Blue-State Republicans” by Nate Cohn for New York Times